Optimization of mechanized soil covering path based on the agronomic mode of full-film double-ditch with double-width filming

In order to further improve the working performance and efficiency of mechanized tillage operation of a full-film double-ditch seedbed,under the working conditions of different parameters of the spiral push-type soil covering device with double-width filming,the dynamic soil covering characteristics and soil covering uniformity of the device were analyzed,the collaborative and interactive coupling mechanism of the horizontal pushing process of the mulching soil and horizontally two-way spiral soil transmission device were revealed,and the main reasons for the influence of different soil covering belts on the change of soil particle number distribution were analyzed.Based on the full-film double-ditch mode with double-width filming,the mechanized soil covering path was optimized.In order to further reduce the disturbance on mulching soil by two-way spiral pushing,a kind of parallel shunt type soil covering device with double-width filming was designed,then a discrete element method was adopted to make simulation analysis and optimize the parallel shunt type soil covering device with double-width filming.Field verification tests showed that after the operation of the full-film double-ditch combined machine with double-width filming and soil covering installed with the parallel shunt type soil covering device,the qualified rate of the film edge soil covering width was 96.1%,an increase of 1.6%compared to that before optimization;the qualified rate of soil covering width at the center of the big ridge was 93.5%,an increase of 1.9%compared to that before optimization;the qualified rate of the soil covering thickness was 97.7%,an increase of 0.2%compared to that before optimization.The test indicators reached the requirements of relevant national and industrial standards,showing that the test results met the design requirements,and the working conditions of verification tests were consistent with the simulation results.

Soil Cover in the Eastern Part of the Dried Bed of the Aral Sea

The greatest environmental disaster in Central Asiathe drying up of the Aral Seahas led to the formation of a new terrain, extending over 2.7 million hectares in Uzbekistan. This newly formed terrain is dynamically developing, with emerging soil formations replacing bottom sediments. This paper analyzes the results of a study on soil formation in the eastern part of the dried-up seabed, focusing on the influence of natural processes occurring there.

Soil seed bank is affected by transferred soil thickness and properties in the reclaimed coal mine in the Qilian Mountains, China

Reclamation of lands abandoned after mining in mountain areas is critical to erosion control,safety from landslides,and ecological protection of mountain ecosystems.However,little is known about alpine coal mine reclamation using the soil seed bank as a potential source for revegetation.We collected samples of persistent soil seed bank for germination experiments from nine reclaimed sites with different soil cover thicknesses and from six control sites in the Qilian Mountains of China.Soil properties of each site were determined(including soil water content,soil available potassium,soil available phosphorus,soil total nitrogen,pH,soil organic matter,soil total phosphorus,and soil total potassium,and soil alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen),and the relationships of the characteristics of the soil seed bank with soil cover thickness and soil properties were examined.The results showed that the density,number of species,and diversity of the topsoil seed bank were significantly correlated with soil cover thickness,and all increased with the increment of soil cover thickness.Soil cover thickness controlled the soil seed bank by influencing soil properties.With the increase in soil cover thickness,soil properties(e.g.,soil organic matter,soil total nitrogen,etc.)content increased while soil pH decreased.The soil seed bank had the potential to restored the pre-mining habitat at reclaimed sites with approximately 20-cm soil cover thickness.Soil properties of reclaimed sites were lower than that of natural sites.The relationship between the soil seed bank and soil cover thickness determined in this study provides a foundation for improving reclamation measures used in coal mines,as well as for the management and monitoring of reclaimed areas.

Minimizing N2O fluxes from full-scale municipal solid waste landfill with properly selected cover soil

Municipal solid waste landfills emit nitrous oxide （N2O） gas. Assuming that the soil cover is the primary N2O source from landfills, this study tested, during a four-year project, the hypothesis that the proper use of chosen soils with fine texture minimizes N2O emissions. A full-scale sanitary landfill, a full-scale bioreactor landfill and a cell planted with Nerium indicum or Festuca arundinacea Schreb, at the Hangzhou Tianziling landfill in Hangzhou City were the test sites. The N2O emission rates from all test sites were considerably lower than those reported in the published reports. Specifically, the N2O emission rate was dependent on soil water content and nitrate concentrations in the cover soil. The effects of leachate recirculation and irrigation were minimal. Properly chosen cover soils applied to the landfills reduced N2O flux.

An estimation method of soil wind erosion in Inner Mongolia of China based on geographic information system and remote sensing

Studies of wind erosion based on Geographic Information System（GIS） and Remote Sensing（RS） have not attracted sufficient attention because they are limited by natural and scientific factors.Few studies have been conducted to estimate the intensity of large-scale wind erosion in Inner Mongolia,China.In the present study,a new model based on five factors including the number of snow cover days,soil erodibility,aridity,vegetation index and wind field intensity was developed to quantitatively estimate the amount of wind erosion.The results showed that wind erosion widely existed in Inner Mongolia.It covers an area of approximately 90×104 km2,accounting for 80% of the study region.During 1985–2011,wind erosion has aggravated over the entire region of Inner Mongolia,which was indicated by enlarged zones of erosion at severe,intensive and mild levels.In Inner Mongolia,a distinct spatial differentiation of wind erosion intensity was noted.The distribution of change intensity exhibited a downward trend that decreased from severe increase in the southwest to mild decrease in the northeast of the region.Zones occupied by barren land or sparse vegetation showed the most severe erosion,followed by land occupied by open shrubbery.Grasslands would have the most dramatic potential for changes in the future because these areas showed the largest fluctuation range of change intensity.In addition,a significantly negative relation was noted between change intensity and land slope.The relation between soil type and change intensity differed with the content of Ca CO3 and the surface composition of sandy,loamy and clayey soils with particle sizes of 0–1 cm.The results have certain significance for understanding the mechanism and change process of wind erosion that has occurred during the study period.Therefore,the present study can provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of wind erosion in Inner Mongolia.

Soils Typology and Floristic Diversity of the Forest of the“Cite Scientifique”of Brazzaville,Congo

A study of the typology of soils and floristic diversity was carried out in the forest of the “Cité Scientifique” of Brazzaville. The study aimed to assess the influence of soil cover on the distribution of taxa. The study covers 18 plots of 625 m2 each, distributed in different soil profiles. The floristic inventory concerns the measurement of diameter of trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm and the counting of herbaceous and shrubs of dbh < 10 cm. The floristic composition reveals a total of 129 plant species distributed in 48 families dominated by Fabaceae and a preponderance of pioneer taxa. The Jaccard coefficients of similarity reveal a low degree of homology of woody plots, whereas for the flora as a whole, the floristic composition is heterogeneous. The Shannon biological diversity index of ligneous varies from 0.6 to 2, against a maximum diversity of 0.69 to 3. The Pielou index of ligneous (0.5 to 0.9) does not reveal any dominance. Soil cover consists of ferrallitic and podzol soils. Their texture is sandy, weakly structured, fragmentary polyhedral throughout the profile, but lumpy and/or nuciform at the surface and sub angular in depth. The porosity decreases proportionally with the depth and thickness of the horizons. The floristic analysis presents an ecosystem with a low degree of diversification for a high floristic richness. The preponderance of anthropization markers is a proof of its very advanced state of disturbance. The study shows that soil cover does not influence the distribution of timber. Indeed, the establishment and development of pioneer species are less prone to soil properties.

Simulation of temperature distribution in double-row potato ridges mulched with plastic film covered with soil

In Northwest China,potatoes are cultivated on double-rows of each ridge which is mulched with plastic film,and the film is covered with some of soil.While effective in retaining soil moisture,this technique can render the potato seedlings prone to be burned if they are not released from the plastic film in time.In this study,the model of convective heat transfer of potato ridge under solar radiation and atmospheric radiation is established by the Fluent software.The processes of the heat transfer of potato ridge was simulated for a certain day,and the temperature distribution in the potato ridge was monitored over time.The temperature distribution of soil in the growth layer of potato plants was analyzed under different thickness and widths of the covering soil on the film.The results showed that with the increase of covering soil thickness and width,the time for soil at different depth to reach the peak-temperature was delayed,and the daily temperature change of soil where the different depths layer of potato plants growth was reduced.At that time,a binary regression equation of offset temperature was constructed by using the Response Surface Method.The best parameter combination for covering soil on the plastic film is a thickness of 50 mm and a width of 280 mm in the cold and arid areas of Northwest China.However,the offset temperature(PT)first decreased and then almost remained unchanged with the increase of covering soil thickness.Considering the operational efficiency and power consumption of soil covering devices in the field,the unchanged width of the covering soil is 200 mm.The field experiments have shown that a 50 mm thick of soil covering is beneficial for the growth of potato plants and a 200 mm width of soil covering is beneficial for the growth of potato plants.The height of potato plants was 21 cm,and the natural emergence rate of potatoes was 95.8%on June 9,2024.The environment of soil covered could provide theoretical support for the mechanized planting of potatoes.

Present Situation of Dictyophora Industry in China and Cultivation Technique of Dictyophora rubrovolvata

China is the earliest country to eat Dictyophora and to realize its artificial domestication.At present,12 species of Dictyophora have been reported worldwide,7 species of which are found in China.D.rubrovolvata,D.echinovolvata and D.indusiata have been cultivated on a large scale,and the main producing areas are Zhijin in Guizhou Province,Shunchang and Jiangle in Fujian Province,and Qingchuan and Changning in Sichuan Province.The cultivation of D.rubrovolvata had experienced 4 stages:wild tending,casserole cultivation,outdoor simple greenhouse cultivation and rapid development of new cultivation techniques.The present integrated cultivation technique of bag removing and soil covering of D.rubrovolvata were introduced in detail from the aspects of production and selection of high-quality fungi bags,bag removing and soil covering,spawn running,as well as fruiting management and harvesting.As one of the"ten main promoting technologies"of Guizhou Province in 2022,it had realized rapid propagation of liquid strains and supporting cultivation of improved varieties and methods.The suitable strains were selected to support understory cultivation,layer cultivation,basket cultivation,factory cultivation and other modes,which had short cultivation period and can realize annual production and supply.With the development of the industry,it is expected that low-cost secondary fermentation or tertiary fermentation cultivation technology will be more widely used.

SOC storage and potential of grasslands from 2000 to 2012 in central and eastern Inner Mongolia, China

Grassland ecosystem is an important component of the terrestrial carbon cycle system. Clear comprehension of soil organic carbon（SOC） storage and potential of grasslands is very important for the effective management of grassland ecosystems. Grasslands in Inner Mongolia have undergone evident impacts from human activities and natural factors in recent decades. To explore the changes of carbon sequestration capacity of grasslands from 2000 to 2012, we carried out studies on the estimation of SOC storage and potential of grasslands in central and eastern Inner Mongolia, China based on field investigations and MODIS image data. First, we calculated vegetation cover using the dimidiate pixel model based on MODIS-EVI images. Following field investigations of aboveground biomass and plant height, we used a grassland quality evaluation model to get the grassland evaluation index, which is typically used to represent grassland quality. Second, a correlation regression model was established between grassland evaluation index and SOC density. Finally, by this regression model, we calculated the SOC storage and potential of the studied grasslands. Results indicated that SOC storage increased with fluctuations in the study area, and the annual changes varied among different sub-regions. The SOC storage of grasslands in 2012 increased by 0.51×1012 kg C compared to that in 2000. The average carbon sequestration rate was 0.04×1012 kg C/a. The slope of the values of SOC storage showed that SOC storage exhibited an overall increase since 2000, particularly for the grasslands of Hulun Buir city and Xilin Gol League, where the typical grassland type was mainly distributed. Taking the SOC storage under the best grassland quality between 2000 and 2012 as a reference, this study predicted that the SOC potential of grasslands in central and eastern Inner Mongolia in 2012 is 1.38×1012 kg C. This study will contribute to researches on related methods and fundamental database, as well as provide a reference for the protection of grassland ecosystems and the formulation of local policies on sustainable grassland development.

A Sustainable Production Model for Potato at Low Latitude Plateau in Winter in Yunnan Province

[Objectives]To find a sustainable production model for potato at low latitude plateau in winter in Yunnan Province.[Methods]Xuanshu 2 potato variety was tested in prefectures of Yunnan Province.Soil covering experiment was conducted in two trials(open field experiment and green house potted experiment).Impacts of three cultivation factors were analyzed:(i)three cultivation models(T1,T2 and T3),(ii)planting density(T1,T2 and T3),(iii)soil covering(T1,T2,T3,T4)on plant growth,and yield production.[Results]The soil moisture content,temperature,roots growth,stems development,leaf area index,and number-weight of tubers per plant and per plot(g)have significantly increased with commercial yield average of 45 t/ha.[Conclusions]The combination of this method with modern agriculture mechanization should be further popularized and applied in large scale planting in regions with climatic conditions similar winter season in Yunnan Province,so as to make contribution to the satisfaction of the world population potato consumption.

Exploring the factors influencing the hydrological response of soil after low and high-severity fires with post-fire mulching in Mediterranean forests

Despite ample literature,the influence of the individual soil properties and covers on the hydrological response of burned soils of forests has not clearly identified.A clear understanding of the surface runoff and erosion rates altered by wildfires and prescribed fires is beneficial to identify the most suitable post-fire treatment This study has carried out a combined analysis of the hydrological response of soil and its driving factors in burned forests of Central-Eastern Spain.The pine stands of these forests were subjected to both prescribed fire and wildfire,and,in the latter case,to post-fire treatment with mulching.Moreover,simple multi-regression models are proposed to predict runoff and erosion in the experi-mental conditions.In the case of the prescribed burning,the fire had a limited impact on runoff and erosion compared to the unburned areas,due to the limited changes in soil parameters.In contrast,the wildfire increased many-fold the runoff and erosion rates,but the mulching reduced the hydrological response of the burned soils,particularly for the first two-three rainfalls after the fire.The increase in runoff and erosion after the wildfire was associated to the removal of the vegetation cover,soil water repellency,and ash left by fire;the changes in water infiltration played a minor role on runoff and erosion.The multi-regression models developed for the prescribed fire were accurate to predict the post-fire runoff coefficients.However,these models were less reliable for predictions of the mean erosion rates.The predictions of erosion after wildfire and mulching were excellent,while those of runoff were not satisfactory(except for the mean values).These results are useful to better understand the relations among the hydrological effects of fire on one side and the main soil properties and covers on the other side.Moreover,the proposed prediction models are useful to support the planning activities of forest managers and hydrologists towards a more effective conservation of forest soils.

The potential application of red mud and soil mixture as additive to the surface layer of a landfill cover system

Red mud, the by-product of aluminum production, has been regarded as a problematic residue all over the world. Its storage involves risks as evidenced by the Ajka red mud spill,an accident in Hungary where the slurry broke free, flooding the surrounding areas. As an immediate remediation measure more than 5 cm thick red mud layer was removed from the flooded soil surface. The removed red mud and soil mixture（RMSM） was transferred into the reservoirs for storage. In this paper the application of RMSM is evaluated in a field study aiming at re-utilizing waste, decreasing cost of waste disposal and providing a value-added product. The purpose was to investigate the applicability of RMSM as surface layer component of landfill cover systems. The field study was carried out in two steps： in lysimeters and in field plots. The RMSM was mixed at ratios ranging between 0 and 50% w/w with low quality subsoil（LQS） originally used as surface layer of an interim landfill cover. The characteristics of the LQS ＋ RMSM mixtures compared to the subsoil（LQS） and the RMSM were determined by physical–chemical, biological and ecotoxicological methods. The addition of RMSM to the subsoil（LQS） at up to 20% did not result any ecotoxic effect, but it increased the water holding capacity. In addition, the microbial substrate utilization became about triple of subsoil（LQS） after 10 months. According to our results the RMSM mixed into subsoil（LQS） at20% w/w dose may be applied as surface layer of landfill cover systems.

Design and field test of crosswise belt type whole plastic-film ridging-mulching corn seeder on double ridges

In order to realize seedbed mechanization of whole plastic-film mulching on double ridges and to overcome the difficulty in crosswise belt type soil covering by whole plastic-film,a kind of crosswise belt type whole plastic-film ridging-mulching corn seeder on double ridges was designed in this study.The key components of the sample machine was designed and its working parameters of seedbed soil covering device,crosswise-belt soil covering mechanism and profiling sowing depth adjustment device were determined.After numerical simulation on the film edge and crosswise soil covering by whole plastic-film on double ridges by discrete element method,the velocity and displacement of the oscillating plate,and the variation rule of amount of covered soil with time were explored.Field test results show that,when the advancing velocity of the machine was 0.50 m/s,the qualified rate of soil width covered on film edge of the seedbed reached 96.1%,qualified rate of crosswise soil belt width was 94.5%,qualified rate of soil thickness on seedbed was 95.3%,qualified rate of sowing depth was 89.3%,qualified rate of spacing between crosswise soil belts reached 93.6%,which all met related standards in China and satisfied design requirements,and could realize seedbed mechanization of whole plastic-film mulching on double ridges.Comparison tests on working performances of practical soil covering show a basic consistence with the seedbed soil covering simulation,and verified the effectiveness of the soil covering model built by using discrete element method.

Design and experimental validation of improved grapevine burying machine

In order to address the low soil breaking rate,poor soil covering performance,and low working efficiency of the existing 3MT-1.8 and PMT-75 grapevine burying machines,two types of improved burying machines,namely the 3MTLJ-1.8 and 3MTXP-1.8,were developed in consideration of the local Ningxia soil conditions.Field experimental results indicated that the soil breaking rate of the 3MTLJ-1.8 machine was 71.44%,and its soil sampling volume increased by approximately 30%compared to that of the 3MT-1.8 machine.It was verified that the self-developed 3MTLJ-1.8 machine can be used in the southern regions of Ningxia.Furthermore,the soil sampling volume of the 3MTXP-1.8 burying machine was 0.24 m^(3)/m,and its soil breaking rate increased by more than 41.42%compared to the standard required volume.The 3MTXP-1.8 machine can be used in the northern areas of Ningxia,where the soil hardness is higher.The results can provide a reference for the development and popularization of grapevine burying machines in Ningxia.

Methane oxidation and attenuation of sulphur compounds in landfill top cover systems: Lab-scale tests

In this study,a top cover system is investigated as a control for emissions during the aftercare of new landfills and for old landfills where biogas energy production might not be profitable.Different materials were studied as landfill cover system in lab-scale columns：mechanical–biological pretreated municipal solid waste（MBP）;mechanical–biological pretreated biowaste（PB）;fine（PBSf）and coarse（PBSc）mechanical–biological pretreated mixtures of biowaste and sewage sludge,and natural soil（NS）.The effectiveness of these materials in removing methane and sulphur compounds from a gas stream was tested,even coupled with activated carbon membranes.Concentrations of CO2,CH4,O2,N2,H2S and mercaptans were analysed at different depths along the columns.Methane degradation was assessed using mass balance and the results were expressed in terms of methane oxidation rate（MOR）.The highest maximum and mean MOR were observed for MBP（17.2 g CH4/m^2/hr and 10.3 g CH4/m^2/hr,respectively）.Similar values were obtained with PB and PBSc.The lowest values of MOR were obtained for NS（6.7 g CH4/m^2/hr）and PBSf（3.6 g CH4/m^2/hr）,which may be due to their low organic content and void index,respectively.Activated membranes with high load capacity did not seem to have an influence on the methane oxidation process：MBP coupled with 220 g/m^2and 360 g/m^2membranes gave maximum MOR of 16.5 g CH4/m^2/hr and 17.4 g CH4/m^2/hr,respectively.Activated carbon membranes proved to be very effective on H2S adsorption.Furthermore,carbonyl sulphide,ethyl mercaptan and isopropyl mercaptan seemed to be easily absorbed by the filling materials.

In-situ neutralize methane emission from landfills in loess regions using leachate

In loess regions, landfilling is the predominant solid waste disposal and loess is usually used as landfill cover soil. However, the methane(CH_4) bio-oxidation activity of virgin loess is usually below 0.01 μmol/(h g-soil). In this study, we proposed a method to improve CH_4 removal capacity of loess by amelioration with mature landfill leachate, which is in-situ, easily available, and appropriate. The organic matter content of the ameliorated loess increased by 180%, reaching 19.69–24.88 g/kg-soil, with more than 90% being non-leachable. The abundance of type I methane-oxidizing bacteria and methane monooxygenase gene pmoA increased by 5.0 and 79 times, respectively. Consequently, the maximum CH_4 removal rate of ameliorated loess reached 0.74–1.41 μmol/(h g-soil) at 25°C, which was 4-fold higher than that of water-irrigated loess. Besides, the CH_4 removal rate peaked at 10 vt% CH_4 concentration and remained at around 1.4 μmol/(h g-soil) at 15°C–35°C. The column test confirmed that the highest CH_4 removal efficiency was at 30–40 cm below the surface, reaching 26.1%±0.4%, and the 50-cm-thick loess layer irrigated with leachate achieved more than 85% CH_4 removal efficiency. These results could help to realize carbon neutrality in landfill sites of global loess regions.